Sofukuji Temple Bell and Drum Tower

A Bell and Drum Tower of 1728

The Sofukuji Temple Bell and Drum Tower (崇福寺鐘鼓楼) is a two-storey bell and drum tower at Sofukuji, a Chinese temple in Nagasaki of 1728 in Kajiyamachi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on August 29, 1910 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a two-storey tower three bays by two with a hip-and-gable tiled roof; designation number 00552.

The 1910 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.

A Tower for Bell and Drum

The bell and drum tower (shukoro) of Sofukuji in Kajiyamachi, Nagasaki City, dates from 1728 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is a two-storey tower three bays by two, under a hip-and-gable roof of tiles.

A bell and drum tower houses both a bell and a drum used to mark the hours and ceremonies. Sofukuji is one of the three Chinese temples of Nagasaki and a well-known temple of the Obaku school of Zen (Agency for Cultural Affairs). A Nagasaki City feature calls it the red Chinese temple, and its precinct includes the First Peak Gate and the Daiyuhoden.

Why It Is an Important Cultural Property

The Agency record has no commentary; the date, 1728, and its form, a two-storey tower with a hip-and-gable tiled roof, set out what was designated.

What to Look For

At the tower, look for its two storeys under a tiled hip-and-gable roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

The tower is owned by Sofukuji (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on opening hours or fees was found.